Despite heart-wrenching reports of Pat Sajak’s impending exit from “Wheel of Fortune,” his costar Vanna White is showing no signs of stopping her role on the hit game show. However, according to a recent report, White will only remain on the show if the producers can meet the conditions of her pay raise request.
According to People, Vanna White is currently in talks with those who run the show to earn what would be her first pay increase in 18 years. While White makes $3 million per year, it still pales in comparison to Sajak’s reported $15 million annual salary. With Sajak leaving and fans concerned about the new talent that will headline the show going forward, White clearly thinks that she has a new and unique form of leverage.
White has worked the “Wheel of Fortune” board for over forty years alongside Sajak and has seen her presence become a near daily sight for tons of fans around the globe. With Sajak announcing his upcoming retirement, White may soon be the last remnant of the long-running era of “Wheel of Fortune.”
Announcing his retirement, Sajak said, “Well, the time has come. I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last.” That Tweet took the gameshow world by storm, causing a frenzy of outlets and reporters trying to get the scoop on who exactly will take the helm once Sajak has officially hosted his final show.
In a statement, Suzanne Prete, Executive Vice President, Game Shows, Sony Pictures Television, said, “We are incredibly grateful and proud to have had Pat as our host for all these years and we look forward to celebrating his outstanding career throughout the upcoming season.Pat has agreed to continue as a consultant on the show for three years following his last year hosting, so we’re thrilled to have him remaining close to the ‘Wheel of Fortune’ family.”
Maggie Sajak, Pat’s daughter, has been teased as a potential heiress to the throne. In a clip speaking about her affinity for the show and its crew, she said, “The Wheel of Fortune staff and crew have always been like an extended family and I’m thrilled to be working with them. It’s a real privilege to be able to treat the show’s longtime viewers to a look at what goes on when the cameras aren’t rolling. Plus, I get to use the carpool lane with my father.”
Whatever ends up happening in the Vanna White contract saga, the one certainty is that the “Wheel of Fortune” brand will continue to pump out shows for its massive audience. Regardless of who is unveiling the letters after each guess, the show must go on. And, without a doubt, this will not be the last chance that we have to see Pat Sajak host the show.
What will also be interesting to see is if Sajak’s daughter joins the show’s team after the test run of her on it when Sajak was temporarily gone a few weeks ago. Hopefully, Whoopi Goldberg will be kept off the well-liked show.
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